In this episode, we will meet Dr. John Walsh, an Associate Professor of Gerontology and Neuroscience and Assistant Dean of Gerontology at USC, and hear some of his valuable advice about mental health. He was a UC Irvine undergrad, went to grad school at The University of Pittsburgh school of medicine, and finished his Ph.D. at the University of Texas School of medicine. Then, he progressed through various research about the brain, neuroscience, stroke, etc. After 25 years of working in a brain-related research laboratory at USC, he became a professor here.

Through his practical experience in life, he will provide us with valuable advice that helps students to have a healthy mental state. He reminds us to think about whether we are into what we are doing to attain the highest state of happiness as well as productivity in our life, shows having a like-minded and supported community could leverage our performance, and also wants us to know we should not stop our hobbies, as they are the most effective way for us to combat any mental challenges we will face in our life.

01:17 - Touched/ motivation

03:54 - About Dr. Walsh and how he found his way to his career in gerontology.

11:05 - What has worked in gerontology taught Dr. Walsh about mental health?

16:48 - What is Dr. Walsh's thought on dopamine detox?

22:33 - What methods can we use to battle the lack of motivation that some students face at this point in the semester?

29:33 - How are nutrition, exercise, and meditation tied to mental health?

37:06 - How do socialization and a strong circle of friends impact our mental health?

40:15 - Since this podcast is targeted towards students, what are some things we should warn students about regarding drugs and alcohol and their overall brain and mental health?

47:29 - What advice does Dr. Walsh have for students who are struggling with balancing everything in their lives and having mental health issues?

50:30 - Are there any things Dr. Walsh does as a professor or think professors should start doing to help students manage their stress?

52:09 - Any resources (podcasts, classes, music, hobbies, books, etc.) that have helped Dr. Walsh's mental health over the years

Host: James Lai

Video edited by Dau Tran Minh Hoang